Football: Ronaldinho sells out stadium in Ravenna, Italy
By the AFREEQUE newsroom, based on Vanguard
Ronaldinho, 46, will make his return to the pitch on Sunday in the Ravenna derby against Forlì, eleven years after his retirement. The Bruno Benelli stadium, with a capacity of 5,000, is sold out thanks to a temporary 1,800-seat stand, according to Vanguard.
Ronaldinho, the 46-year-old former Brazilian forward, is due to start on Sunday for Ravenna, an Italian third-tier club, in the derby against Forlì, eleven years after his last professional match. The Bruno-Benelli stadium, which normally holds 5,000 spectators, is sold out, and a temporary 1,800-seat stand, dubbed “R10”, has been added for the occasion, Vanguard reports.
Ravenna president Ignazio Cipriani aims eventually at promotion to Serie A, a level the club has never reached. Ravenna are currently second in their Serie C group, six points behind leaders Spezia, while the club has not competed in Serie B since 2008, according to Vanguard.
Ronaldinho also hopes to score the 300th goal of his career, having reached 299 more than a decade ago. The former Barcelona and Paris Saint-Germain player said he wanted to be part of the project backed by Ravenna’s leadership.
The return to the pitch, planned for 15 November, had already been announced on 24 October. Ronaldinho will play again on 15 November with Ravenna in Italy’s third division had then set out the date of this appearance, against Forlì.
